NASA has confirmed its plan to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, concluding a three-decade mission of continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit. The agency will transition to using privately owned and operated commercial space stations to continue research and maintain a U.S. presence in space.
Key Takeaways
- The International Space Station is scheduled to be decommissioned and deorbited in 2030.
- Since November 2000, the ISS has maintained an unbroken streak of human habitation in low-Earth orbit.
- NASA is funding the development of commercial space stations to serve as successors to the ISS.
- The ISS has hosted over 4,000 scientific experiments, leading to significant advancements on Earth and for future space exploration.
A Three-Decade Legacy in Orbit
For nearly 25 years, the International Space Station has served as a symbol of global cooperation and scientific achievement. Since November 2000, the orbital laboratory has been continuously occupied by astronauts from the United States and its international partners, including Europe, Canada, Japan, and Russia.
This remarkable feat of engineering and diplomacy has established the longest continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit. The station, orbiting approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers) above Earth, has been a unique platform for research and technology demonstration.
However, after more than 30 years of service since its first components were launched in 1998, the aging outpost is nearing the end of its operational life. The plan involves a controlled deorbit maneuver that will guide the station to a remote and uninhabited area of the Pacific Ocean known as the spacecraft cemetery.
A Symbol of International Cooperation
The ISS program brought together five space agencies representing 15 countries. This collaboration, especially between the United States and Russia after the Cold War, is considered one of the station's most significant accomplishments, proving that complex, long-term scientific projects can unite nations.
The Scientific Impact of the ISS
The microgravity environment of the ISS has provided an unparalleled laboratory for scientific discovery. Researchers have conducted more than 4,000 experiments aboard the station, yielding data that would be impossible to obtain on Earth.
These investigations span numerous fields, including materials science, biotechnology, human physiology, Earth science, and astrophysics. The results have been documented in over 4,400 peer-reviewed research publications, contributing to tangible benefits on the ground.
Key Research Breakthroughs
The unique conditions in orbit have led to significant advancements. Some notable outcomes from ISS research include:
- Improved crystallization processes for key cancer-fighting drugs.
- Development of techniques to grow artificial retinas in space.
- A deeper understanding of thunderstorms and other atmospheric phenomena.
- Innovations in the manufacturing of ultrapure optical fibers.
- The first successful DNA sequencing performed in orbit.
By the Numbers: ISS Research
The scientific output of the ISS is substantial. Over its lifetime, the station has supported thousands of investigators from more than 100 countries, making it a truly global research platform.
NASA's Transition to Commercial Space
The retirement of the ISS does not mark the end of American presence in low-Earth orbit. Instead, NASA is fostering a new commercial space economy by stimulating the development of privately owned space stations.
This strategy mirrors the success of its Commercial Crew and Cargo programs, where companies like SpaceX and Boeing transport astronauts and supplies to the ISS. By purchasing services from commercial providers, NASA can focus its resources on deep-space exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA's goal is to be one of many customers in a robust commercial marketplace in low-Earth orbit, ensuring the United States maintains its leadership in space while promoting economic growth.
Funding the Next Generation
In December 2021, NASA took a significant step by awarding over $400 million in contracts to help private companies develop designs for commercial space stations. This initial funding is intended to mature the designs and create a competitive environment.
More recently, in September 2025, the agency issued a draft announcement for Phase 2 partnership proposals. This next phase will support companies through critical design reviews and require demonstrations of stations capable of hosting four astronauts for at least 30 days. NASA will then certify these stations to ensure they meet the agency's strict safety standards before purchasing missions for its astronauts.
The Future of Low-Earth Orbit
While the new American commercial stations are under development, the human presence in orbit will continue. China's Tiangong space station is already operational and has been permanently crewed by three astronauts for approximately four years.
Once the ISS is decommissioned, Tiangong will become the longest continually inhabited outpost in orbit, highlighting the shifting landscape of international space activity. The successful transition to commercial stations is critical for NASA and its partners to avoid a gap in access to a low-Earth orbit research platform.
For the next several years, the ISS will remain a prominent feature in the night sky. Traveling at 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 kilometers per hour), it often appears as the brightest object, a brilliant point of light tracing a silent path across the stars. This visible reminder of human ingenuity offers a chance to appreciate a monumental achievement before its final, fiery descent in 2030.
